The idea of a formal tea party goes back to Victorian/Edwardian times, where the affluent would gather over rigid social conventions, conversations, corsets, and, of course, tea. It sounds very stuffy to me, and in all honesty I think these people just really needed a reason to dress up in all their finery and eat cake, and so there you have it. But then I got to thinking- who am I to judge? Swap the corsets for something cute and the cucumber sandwiches for cupcakes, and you have a pretty brilliant idea. And in today's world, where bakeries are often boutiques in their own right, the idea makes complete sense. Pass the sugar- and a pink
Ladurée macaron, please- and see my slideshow for five tea party-perfect pieces.
